NBAA Associate Member Advisory Council

Joel Hirst

Vice President, Sales – East, Avfuel Corporation

Based at Avfuel Corporation's headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI, Joel Hirst is a veteran aviation professional and an instrument-rated pilot. He received his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in aviation technology and operations management in 1989, and went straight into aviation. Having worked as a line-service technician and eventually a line-service manager for several years, Hirst developed an early and thorough understanding of the FBO business.

Hirst later translated this working knowledge into a successful career in aviation insurance sales. He was an agent for AVEMCO/National Aviation Underwriters for three years before taking on a position at Avfuel Corporation's subsidiary, Avsurance.

Today, he is Avfuel Corporation's vice president of sales – east. As such, Hirst oversees all customer service and sales operations for accounts in the Midwest and eastern United States.

"I understand from many angles what FBO owners/operators are dealing with, and I do my best to ensure that their needs are responded to immediately and professionally. In order to tend to those needs, my colleagues and I work to keep the lines of communication between FBOs and Avfuel open," says Hirst.